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CHAP. X.

Instructions to Mr. McLeod upon our Separation. - Meet with Akaitcho. - His Lodge. -Imminent Danger to the Boat. Akaitcho's friendly Caution.- EmbarkHeavy Storms. Our Crew.

ation. Geological Features of the Country. Obstructions from the Ice. -Perils from a Series of Rapids.- Plunder of a Bag of Pemmican. - Obstacles on our Passage. Boisterous Weather. Deer-hunting. Observations. Deviation of the River.- Desolate Scenery. - Detained by the Ice. Cascades. Land-marks. Contraction of the River. Baillie's River.

Flocks

of Geese. Tact requisite in Command. - Precipitous Rocks. A Fox. - Esquimaux Marks.- Bullen River. -A Storm.-Lake Pelly. - Conjectures of an Indian. - Encampment. View of the Country. Further Obstructions. Observations.- Lake Garry.

It was now unnecessary for Mr. McLeod to proceed farther; and it was satisfactory to me, at parting with him, that I could make over a tolerable stock of dried meat for his party, which would consist of ten persons and fourteen dogs, otherwise entirely dependent on the success of the hunters who were to guide them.

At 10 A. M., July 4th, the boat was sent off

with the sledges and half the cargo to the ice on the lake; and I availed myself of this last occasion to repeat the substance of our former conversations respecting the duties that would be required of him during my absence; the most important of which were, his going to Fort Resolution for the stores, to be sent there by the Company, and the building of a house for a permanent fishing station at some place to be selected by himself. I also delivered into his hands an official letter, requiring him to be again on the banks of the Thlew-eechoh, by the middle of September, so as to be in readiness to afford any assistance to my party that unforeseen misfortunes might render necessary. Finally, I returned him sincere thanks for the zealous attention with which he had fulfilled my wishes, as well as for his general kindness to every individual of the expedition. By this time the boat had returned, and with a hearty farewell, I embarked for the ice.

The boat was soon put on the runners, and, together with the baggage, conveyed to the other side of the lake; when, the water being open, she was again launched, to avoid accidents only half the cargo being placed in her. The river, flowing from the lake, cuts through a chain of craggy rocks and mountains, thickly strewed with boulders and debris, but with

sufficient pasturage in the valleys and down. the declivities to attract musk oxen and deer, which are said to resort to them in spring and autumn in vast numbers. An increasing current brought us to a strong rapid and fall, with an island in the centre; and just above it, on a moss-covered rock, we perceived Akaitcho's son and another Indian, waving and shouting to warn us of the danger, which, however, we had already perceived. The luggage brought on this trip being now landed, the boat was sent back for the remainder.

Akaitcho had chosen this bleak tract for his hunting ground, and had pitched his lodge on the very peak of the highest hill, a few miles off'; which being too distant for me to visit, I sent him some tobacco and other presents, with a request that he would detain his young men at his lodge, as we were too busy to talk. Scarcely, however, had I returned from taking some bearings, when I saw the old man and several others close alongside. The interpreter declared he could not prevail on him to remain, for that as soon as he heard that I was there, he left his lodge, saying, "I have known the chief a long time, and I am afraid I shall never see him again I will go." The boat had now arrived; and the rest of the men being busied in making the portage, she was pushed off with four good hands, quite

light, to run the fall. Unfortunately the steersman kept her rather too much to the left; in consequence of which, after descending the first fall, she was drawn upon a shelving rock, forming part of the ledge of the second: this brought her up with a crash which threatened immediate destruction, and called forth a shriek from the prostrate crew. The immense force of the water drove her farther on, so that she hung only by the stern. The steersman jumped on the rock; but though he maintained his footing, he could not lift her off: he jumped on board again, whilst I called out and made signs for the men to go forward into the bow, and be ready to pull the larboard oars. Amidst the confusion this direction was not attended to, and, in an instant, her stem was swept round by the large fall. I held my breath, expecting to see her dashed to shivers against a protruding rock, upon which a wave five feet high was breaking directly before her; but, happily, the steering oar had been only half laid in; and, taking the rock, it twirled her broadside to the rapid, which then carried her down without further injury. The water being pumped out, it was found that she did not leak; and this being so, I was, upon the whole, not sorry for the adventure, as it not only gave the men a memorable proof of the strength of these clear-water rivers, but afforded me an occa

sion for cautioning them against running any rapid for the future, without first studying the lead of the current.

The river appearing to be free from ice, as far as could be discerned from the heights, I thought it unnecessary to take all the spare people on with me, and therefore left the interpreter with others to remain at Akaitcho's lodges until the carpenters, who were wanted to inspect the boat, should return with further instructions for their guidance. Seeing that I was about to depart, Akaitcho looked very melancholy, and cautioned me against the dangers of a river which he plainly told me none of the present race of Indians had the least knowledge of: especially did he warn me against Esquimaux treachery, which, he said, was always perpetrated under the disguise of friendship; and "when you least expect it," added he, "they will attack you. I am afraid I shall never see you again," he continued; "but should you escape from the great water, take care you are not caught by the winter, and thrown into a situation like that in which you were on your return from the Coppermine, for you are alone, and the Indians cannot help you." Having endeavoured to quiet his apprehensions by acquainting him with my intended precautions, and my determination to keep to the river in the event of any accident to